``Jojo Rabbit'' The outside is unscrupulous, but the inside is a dazzling love. A love story that reconsiders “war”

The beauty of socially disadvantaged people standing up against the system with love

``Jojo Rabbit'' depicts the real emotions of wartime, takes it back to zero, reconsiders it, and then returns to the ``mainstream'' war movies. It is much more dramatic and empathetic than works that have a clear "anti-war" stance from the beginning. At the same time, it also makes us think about our own stereotypes. Even if the answer is the same, this work teaches us without hesitation that it is dangerous if we don't think about it properly.

At the beginning, I said that ``Jojo Rabbit'' is a ``love story of independence,'' but the film's greatest weapon is ``love.'' There are many types of this love, such as ``Rosie's maternal love for Jojo'' and ``Jojo's affection for Elsa,'' which give warmth to these bleak times. Rosie tells Jojo words of love such as ``People always fall in love,'' ``Hate never wins. Love is the strongest force,'' and ``Love hurts. It's like butterflies flying around in your stomach.'' A number of these will have a great influence on later developments as keys to the entire work.

“Jojo Rabbit” (C) 2019 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation &TSG Entertainment Finance LLC

Jojo rebels against her mother's teachings by saying, ``You can't understand love even by looking at it,'' but this line is extremely important. This is because it is linked to the line Yorkie says at the beginning, ``What's the difference between Jews and us? You can't tell just by looking.'' Just as love is invisible, human nature is also invisible. Conversely, it is also nonsense to judge someone based on appearance or preconceived notions. This is a brilliant device that clearly shows how futile discrimination is.

Here, I would like to think about ` `The Shape of Water '' (17) and `` Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri '' (17), which have a lot in common with this work. Coincidentally, these three films are FOX Searchlight films, and many keywords overlap, such as "denying common sense," "various forms of love," "minorities winning their place," and "love is the antidote to violence." The colors and spirituality unique to the studio seem to be quietly linked.

``The Shape of Water'' depicts a love story between a mysterious creature and a woman who cannot make a sound, and depicts a socially disadvantaged person overcoming violence. ``Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri'' conveyed a sense of ``forgiveness'' and the legitimacy of revenge that had not been seen in previous films. Both are films in which ordinary people raise their voices.

“The Shape of Water” preview

``Jojo Rabbit'' also depicts the underdog standing up against the system. Rosie is a rebel, Elsa has had everything taken away by the times, Jojo is slightly disabled in an accident, and Captain Klenzendorf has a portrayal that reminds us of a gay man. However, they fight with "love" and pursue their own justice.

Jojo, a young boy who has known and learned about love, takes a strong step beyond the stagnation of the times. The inspiration behind this is the words of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke: ``Experience everything, beauty and fear, keep on living, despair is not the end.''

It has a comedic touch and is surrounded by a gentle and compassionate gaze, but it also sharply captures the misery of war and is willing to depict cruelty. However, I still try to believe in love. It also portrays the drama of both the perpetrator and the victim in a neutral manner. ``Jojo Rabbit'' doesn't assume anything. What is hidden behind the eccentric and satirical exterior is the image of a ``human being'' who approaches his subject matter with an almost honest attitude.

You can't tell about love or people by looking at them. That's why we should first talk to each other and deepen our understanding, just like Jojo did with Elsa.

Peace surely begins with dialogue. And there is always hidden love that cannot be seen.

Text: SYO

Born in 1987. After The Graduate from Tokyo Gakugei University, he worked at a film magazine editorial production site and a film information site before becoming a film writer/editor. Works on a wide range of topics including interviews, reviews, columns, event appearances, and recommendation comments. Contributed to ``CINEMORE'', ``FRIDAY Digital'', ``Fan's Voice'', ``Eiga.com'', ``Cinema Cafe'', ``BRUTUS'', ``DVD & Video Distribution'', etc. Twitter「 syocinema 」

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"Jojo Rabbit"

Nationwide release on Friday, January 17, 2020!

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(C) 2019 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation &TSG Entertainment Finance LLC